Conquest (3)
The winter in the northern reaches of the empire was bone-chilling cold, piercing right down to the marrow. In the dead of it, you couldn't even sleep indoors without a fire going. But this winter felt especially brutal.
I reined in my horse by a small stream near Belgorod.
"The river's frozen solid."
"And the snow's the same."
I touched the thick layer of snow piled on the paved road and shook my head. No way we could get the emperor's carriage through to Belgorod like this.
"We'll have to abandon the carriage. But His Majesty and the princess..."
"I'll get their permission myself. Rikius, prepare mounts for them."
"Yes, sir."
I dismounted and walked toward the carriage.
"Your Majesty, Praetorian Prefect Ain reporting."
At my voice, the princess opened the carriage window. She winced briefly at the blast of cold air, then asked,
"What is it?"
"The snow has frozen over, making it impossible for the carriage to proceed. You'll need to switch to horses."
"Just have the troops clear the snow."
"Even that has its limits, Your Highness."
I kept my tone polite.
Of course, her words pissed me off. Ordering already exhausted troops—who could barely march—to shovel snow? A light snowfall, maybe I'd consider it. But this was solid ice that even the carriage couldn't traverse.
"So you're fine leaving His Majesty out in the cold?"
"The troops are enduring the same, Your Highness."
"His Majesty is different from them."
I clenched my fist, then placed it over my heart.
"The empire's soldiers serve His Majesty out of loyalty. If that's repaid by treating them like slaves, who would offer true devotion?"
As the princess and I argued, the emperor intervened.
"I'll get out of the carriage. That settles it, right?"
"Your Majesty!"
"Yes, sir. I've got horses ready."
"General!"
Euresia snapped sharply.
I ignored her and called out.
"Rikius! Where are the horses?"
"Right here."
Rikius brought over two white steeds.
Euresia glared coldly at me, then took the emperor's hand.
"Your Majesty, there's no need to get down."
The emperor glanced between his sister and me, then placed a hand on her shoulder.
"The general's right this time."
"But Your Majesty."
"Please, just do as I say."
Euresia bit her lip hard.
I fetched thick fur-lined coats for the emperor and princess. They grumbled but, shivering uncontrollably, draped them over themselves without further pride.
I cleared the carriage and mounted up. The troops transferred rations and gear from wagons onto donkeys and mules.
Once the column was ready, I signaled the standard-bearer.
"Move out!"
"The legion resumes march!"
The Praetorian legion's standard-bearer led with the golden eagle aloft. As the troops started moving, Rikius rode up.
"Sir, when we get to Belgorod, you're in for some headaches."
"You mean Princess Euresia?"
"Yes."
"Can't be helped. His Majesty insisted on bringing her. What could I do?"
"That's exactly why there's talk among the ranks."
"Talk?"
"Rumors that the emperor and princess... you know."
My face hardened.
"Rikius. Reporting such idle gossip to me? I'm disappointed. As eagles loyal to His Majesty, how can you entertain such irreverent thoughts?"
Rikius bowed his head at my rebuke.
"My apologies."
"Never speak of it again. And flog anyone you hear spreading it, on the spot. His Majesty's dignity is tied to the empire's security. Joking about his authority is intolerable. Understood?"
"Yes, sir."
Rikius replied with a stiff, disciplined face.
I nodded.
But I couldn't shake the heaviness in my chest.
If even the troops were whispering, I could only imagine the chatter back in the rumor-mill capital.
His Majesty's authority must be seriously undermined.
I resolved that, no matter what, I'd rack up major victories on this campaign to restore the empire's—and the emperor's—prestige.
"Smells like home."
I halted briefly on the 'Road of the Cross,' where crows and eagles circled. This was where the 16th Legion crucified lawbreakers, barbarians, and bandits defying imperial law.
Fresh corpses were always nailed up along the road, drawing swarms of carrion birds.
"Urk."
Being winter, the bodies hadn't rotted—exposing guts from torsos, eye-popped heads—scattered in grotesque variety, rolling on the ground, rats scurrying among them. Euresia retched at the sight.
The emperor pulled out a handkerchief for his sister, but it wasn't enough to stop her heaving. I couldn't help a slight smirk.
Why follow to this harsh frontier and suffer, you spoiled princess? This isn't civilization—it's the edge.
I had Rikius fetch water.
They boiled some quickly over a fire; the princess took a sip and spat.
"What is this place? Hell?"
"Yes, Your Highness. A place where humans can't survive. That's where we legionaries live each day for the empire."
She turned away at my reply.
The emperor, stomach turned by the grim scene, drank some water too. While they recovered, we surveyed the Road of the Cross.
"Looks like Rubiot's been diligent. At least ten kills this week."
"Seems so."
"But now we'll have to work even harder."
Rikius gave a wry smile instead of answering.
Then, from Belgorod, a group approached under an eagle standard. I recognized them instantly and raised a hand.
"Hey, everyone looks intact."
They smiled as I waved.
Soon, they dismounted and knelt.
"The eagles of the 16th Legion pay respects to Imperator Ain."
"Imperator? I'm just Praetorian Prefect now."
"But to us, you're our eternal commander."
"Even if you think that, restrain yourselves. His Majesty is present."
I nodded toward him; they rose.
As we exchanged greetings, the emperor gave an awkward smile. It was a bit comical—greeting the prefect first in the emperor's presence.
To save face, I brought Rubiot and the battalion commanders before him and knelt.
"Your Majesty, the 16th Legion's commander and battalion leaders. Loyal men enduring the frozen frontier for you."
"I see."
The emperor accepted their bows with a strained expression.
After the awkward first meeting, we entered Belgorod. Exhausted from the long journey, the emperor and princess retired immediately. Meeting the legion commander fell entirely to me.
"You've had it rough on the frontier."
"Not at all."
"Speak freely."
I clapped Rubiot's shoulder.
"Thanks."
We bantered like back in our centurion days.
Chatting about recent events, an hour flew by. Realizing, I got to the point.
"Oh, and about bringing His Majesty to the border this time."
"I've been wondering."
"I'm planning to let more barbarians south of the Drvina River. Subjugate and resettle them."
"The locals won't like it."
"Have to convince them. We're short on legion manpower, aren't we? Even barbarian hands will do."
"True, but enlisting barbarians costs money."
Rubiot hit a key issue.
"Sure, but if we give them land and use them short-term, no cost."
"Short-term? Guarding the border briefly—what good's that?"
I met Rubiot's eyes calmly.
"Listen. I'm aiming to wipe out Sartia and Goti this time. Crush the empire's two main northern barbarian tribes. It'll set an example for the rest, like when we smashed the Thunder Tribe in the southwest."
"Conquest. If we pull it off, yes. The heavy snow might make them drop plans too. But they're nomads."
"I know."
"And it's winter. Reason to fight now?"
Winter battles disadvantaged the empire, with many southern-born troops weak to cold. Imperial warhorses fared worse, sapping mobility and complicating supply. We'd suffered humiliating defeats in winter fields before.
But I knew that.
"There is."
"Tell me."
"First, plague. Cold's quelled it for now, but spring could bring it back. Can't muster a big army then."
"Plague. Fair. Another reason?"
"Second, barbarian customs. Before planning, I asked Sartia and Goti slaves about nomad habits. They gather armies in winter for spring raids—hoof protection in snow. So we hit them assembled."
"Assembled enemies are tougher."
"True, but scattered nomads are hard to pin. Wiping them out gathered isn't bad. Their hierarchies aren't solid yet."
"Still, doesn't offset winter risks enough."
I wasn't banking on just those two.
"Third, surprise advantage."
"We infantry surprising nomads?"
"Not us directly. Remember the resettlers? We'll use them to strike. Winter hunting draws crowds near tribes—Sartia and Goti won't suspect."
Rubiot nodded.
"Clever. Surprise works. But if they evade in winter, hard fight."
"That's what I'm counting on."
I rubbed my hands.
"Counting on?"
"Fleeing from surprise and our attack, no time to grab food."
"!!!!"
"They'll starve slowly in the freezing cold. Watching family die one by one, desperation will make them charge us. Other seasons, they raid elsewhere—but not winter. That's my real reason for fighting now."
Rubiot laughed at my answer.
"Brutal plan."
"Demonic, even. But do frontier guardians need morals or philosophy?"
"None. Just barbarian hate and rage."
I smiled and outlined the operation: 50,000 troops to exterminate two nations. Rubiot nodded silently.
(To be continued)